AFL - Is it worth the heartbreak?

[BulldogBelle]

For whatever reason, I barely even care who our next coach will be. And this is why:

GWS will probably take Ward. Next year, more of our top liners will still be in the gun.

Free-agency. Say no more.

Is the game even really that entertaining anymore?

So many times umpires have had a massive hand in deciding critical results against us. Forgetting multiple times this season, I am still bitter about the Johnno - Rooke decision in 08, and the Riewoldt push in 09.

Random rule introductions, nazi-esque justifications about piss-poor umpiring decisions, a distinct lack of "listening" from those that matter at AFL HQ.

A big differential between clubs with a healthy, "robust" football department and those that don't have that luxury.

Don't get me wrong, I love Footscray. I love the Bulldogs. I've been a member every single year I could feasibly be a member for.

And I know everyone else here is exactly the same way. But does anybody else question whether they actually love the game anymore? or is it just me?

[LostDoggy]

Re: AFL - Is it worth the heartbreak?

I don't love the game anymore, i only love the Bulldogs.

I haven't loved AFL for a long time, if the Bulldogs were ever to merge or fold i wouldn't care about the sport anymore.

[LostDoggy]

Re: AFL - Is it worth the heartbreak?

I don't love the game anymore, i only love the Bulldogs.

I haven't loved AFL for a long time, if the Bulldogs were ever to merge or fold i wouldn't care about the sport anymore.

Probably feel a little the same way today. It could only ever be the bulldogs for me, and if they folded, I wouldn't go and/or care much about AFL.

[Twodogs]

Re: AFL - Is it worth the heartbreak?

I love cricket more than I love football. If the Footscray football club played in the VFL (A, whatever) I woudnt even bother with the AFL scores in the paper on monday mornings.

[ReLoad]

Re: AFL - Is it worth the heartbreak?

I get the distinct feeling that many people feel the same way, and no its not because our team has tasted some "success" but rather that its just not fun anymore.

I'm much more enjoying local footy, and intend to be a regular at Willy next year.

[Maddog37]

Re: AFL - Is it worth the heartbreak?

For *!*!*!*!s sake people, stop being so negative . Please!!!

Life goes on and you only see the good stuff if you actively look for it.

[LostDoggy]

Re: AFL - Is it worth the heartbreak?

I ask the converse -- does anyone in their right mind think the AFL loves them?

We've gone from being a critical part of the success and popularity of the game, people who were the heart and soul and fabric of various clubs for decades (heck why do we care about it so much and remember ridiculous shit about a cold day in September 40, 50 years ago even though no one else in the world cares? BECAUSE IT'S OURS!), to being simply 'paying customers', a ticket through a turnstile, a number on a sales pitch to sponsors and TV stations, treated like mugs, spoken to like idiots, slapped around like naughty children, ripped off by shit food at ridiculous prices, taken for granted in any discussion about the game.

So the more pertinent question is: what logical reason other than nostalgia would we have to love the game? I mean, it's one thing to enjoy a sporting contest -- I do that with all sports, but love is another thing entirely. That's why Rocket's care for the ordinary fan was so important -- it was like a little part of history, when the game was still tangible and real for the average person, not something that has been packaged up for the corporate dollar and kept at arm's length from the unwashed masses.

[LostDoggy]

Re: AFL - Is it worth the heartbreak?

Lantern, you are on fire today. Articulated extremely well.

[Bornadog]

Re: AFL - Is it worth the heartbreak?

For *!*!*!*!s sake people, stop being so negative . Please!!!

Life goes on and you only see the good stuff if you actively look for it.

I still love the game, but some of the things mentioned in the op really get on my nerves and guys like Anderson, Gieschen and of course Demitriou are making it worse. I wonder how many fans would agree.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: AFL - Is it worth the heartbreak?

Lantern, you are on fire today. Articulated extremely well.

I was about to say the exact same thing. Very, very nice form indeed

[The Underdog]

Re: AFL - Is it worth the heartbreak?

For *!*!*!*!s sake people, stop being so negative . Please!!!

Life goes on and you only see the good stuff if you actively look for it.

I do see the good stuff, it's just it's mostly while I'm not watching footy these days.

As per the OP I love our club but I've watched way less football this year than any year I can remember and to be honest it's not really been missed.

[Doc26]

Re: AFL - Is it worth the heartbreak?

I ask the converse -- does anyone in their right mind think the AFL loves them?

We've gone from being a critical part of the success and popularity of the game, people who were the heart and soul and fabric of various clubs for decades (heck why do we care about it so much and remember ridiculous shit about a cold day in September 40, 50 years ago even though no one else in the world cares? BECAUSE IT'S OURS!), to being simply 'paying customers', a ticket through a turnstile, a number on a sales pitch to sponsors and TV stations, treated like mugs, spoken to like idiots, slapped around like naughty children, ripped off by shit food at ridiculous prices, taken for granted in any discussion about the game.

So the more pertinent question is: what logical reason other than nostalgia would we have to love the game? I mean, it's one thing to enjoy a sporting contest -- I do that with all sports, but love is another thing entirely. That's why Rocket's care for the ordinary fan was so important -- it was like a little part of history, when the game was still tangible and real for the average person, not something that has been packaged up for the corporate dollar and kept at arm's length from the unwashed masses.

The game as I knew it died the day AFL officialdom warned off my family from draping our beloved red white and blue colours over an advertising hoarding.

[Chicago1]

Re: AFL - Is it worth the heartbreak?

Yeah. That Lantern ain't bad for a youngin'.

The Bulldogs have gotten me through some really tough times living here the past 11 years. I absolutely LIVE for my visits back to Melbourne and going to the footy. In 2002 I went straight from Tullamarine to the home I was staying at, had a shower and headed to the footy at Docklands where we lost to Collingwood. It was my first taste of footy in over two years and I loved it, even losing to those $#@%.

Every time I leave the Western Oval after my last training visit and prepare to fly back here, I have a long look around for I fear one of these times it may just be my last glimpse of what I miss most about Australia. Well, the Bulldogs and fish 'n chips and a capricciosa pizza and...

[GVGjr]

Re: AFL - Is it worth the heartbreak?

Thanks St 07 for summing up exactly how I feel. Lantern, you've said it even more exactly!

I feel very hollow today. I've been remembering the excitement and fun when Rocket came to the club and we went on a roller coaster with him those first 2 carefree years. We had hope of a brilliant shiny new era. Now some of those fresh faces that thrashed the Pies in 06 are proppy, heartbroken or already cooked..young men in their mid to late 20s FFS!

Great guys like Grant and Johnson will never be premiership players. Most of us have never seen the dogs in a grand final. After being sooooo close 3 years in a row, it feels hard to resign ourselves to refreshing, rebuilding, rejuvenating, whatever! We have such loyal fans but now we will have to invest faith in a new coach, new group. Right now as of today that's a struggle.

And if I have to endure Ward's departure to a trumped up franchise, it will test the faith still further.

Don't accuse those of us feeling like that of being 'negative'. I'll never stop loving the dogs, but we're entitled to feel empty today.

[LostDoggy]

Re: AFL - Is it worth the heartbreak?

I bet collingwoods & geelongs forums don't have threads like this?